Micrometer height gauge



March 2 1 926.

D. ANDERSON MICROMETER HEIGHT GAUGE Filed March 11 Patented ,Mar. 2, 1926 UNITED STATES DANIEL ANDERSON/OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

MICROMETER HEIGHT GAUGE.

Application filed March 11, 1922. Serial No. 542,855.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that. I, DANIEL ANDERSON, a subject of Sweden, residing atRockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Micrometer HeightGauges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pcrtainsin general to distance measuring instruments, andhas more particular reference to that class known as height gauges.These instruments, used primarily in machine shop practice for obtainingthe height of projections from plane surfaces, for the locating ofbushings in for marking on one surface a line parallel to anothersurface, and for other purposes well known, have heretofore beencharacterized by the inclusion of a vernier scale for'obtaining themeasurements. It is well recognized that Vernier scales, especially in an'leasuring instrument of this type are diftlcult to set and readaccurately, and at any event in order to secure the desired degree ofaccuracy, very painstaking effort must be made either in setting theinstrument or taking readings. Furthermore, this type of scale is not sogenerally understood by the average mechanic, consequently its use islimited. The ob ect of the present invention is to provide a heightgauge of novel construction which obviates the objections to and theundesirable features of a so-called Vernicr height gauge. This object Iobtain by the provision of a height gauge embodying a micrometer meansof measurement. The micrometer is embodied in the gauge in aparticularly novel and advantageous manner, whereby measurements withina relatively wide range may be quickly, easily, and convenientlyobtained to a fine degree of accuracy and precision.

Another object is to provide a measuring instrument of the characterdescribed capable of a wide and increased range of uses in comparisonwith prior instruments of this character, the present instrument beingcapable of use as a height gauge, a micrometer caliper, a scribing orsurface gauge, and for other uses which will be apparent hereinafter.

Still another object is to provide a micrometer measuring instrument ofnovel construction so designed that it may be used in every day practiceand will maintain a high degree of accuracy and precision. At the sametime, I have provided certain means for obtaining adjustment incompensation for wear.

My invention also contemplates the provision of a micrometer heightgauge constructed in such simple and novel manner to be capable ofeconomical production, and which will serve practically andsatisfactorily the purposes intended.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by thoseskilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical sectionalview through the instrument with the micrometer screw in elevation;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section andelevationshowing the micrometer parts;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l is a fragmentary View looking at the right hand side of the lowerportion of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken on the lines 55 and 66,respectively, of Fig. 1. V

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2- which better show thedetails of construction, it will be observed that the micrometer andco-operatin'g parts are carried on an upright post or rod 11 circu ar incross section and rigidly supported on a base element designatedgenerally by 12. This base reccssed on its underside for clearance, isof sufiicient' length and width to provide a stable support. Upon thetop of the base is a rat narrow contact surface 13 or working facehaving its longitudinal axis disposed radially with respect to the rod11, constituting face of a fixed jaw. Upon the rod 11 are adapted to bestrung one upon another any of a plurality of gauge blocks or sleeves1-1 of predetermined lengths. The lowermost gauge sleeve rests on asurface 15 co-planer with the surface 13. The purpose of these gaugesleeves is to provide a fixed face on which to accurately support amicrometer device which will be presently described at predetermineddistances from the contact surface 13 or from the surface level on whichthe base rests. The micrometer device or unit as will be presently seen,may be freely slid lengthwise onto or off the rod 11 and likewise thegauge sleeves may he slid on or off the rod. My invention contemplatesthe provision with each instrument of a set of gauge sleeves of standarddimensions, such for example as one-half inch, one inch and two inch,respectively, although any other or intermediate dimensions might beemployed. In the present instance, Fig. 1, I show two inch, one inch andone-half inch gauge sleeves superimposed one above the other on the rod11, providing support for the micrometer unit and accurately locatingthe lower edge of the latter 3 ,1; inches above the contact surface 13.The butt ends of these gauge sleeves are recessed at intervals as at 16for clearance of any small particles which may lodge between the meetingsurfaces of two adjoining sleeves.

The micrometer unit comprises a screw micrometer designated gene ally by11'. which is threadedly connected to and adapted to turn in a nut 18which has scale graduations on its peripheral face spaced lengthwisethereof. The nut has an extended sleeve portion 19 to which is fixedlyattached a movable jaw described hereinafter. A thimble 21 fixed to thescrew 17, as will he presently described, has graduations on its beveledsurface 22 co-operating with graduations on the nut 18. The micrometerscrew, nut and thimble constitute the principal elements of a micrometerand are co-ordinated in a dis tinctly novel manner in the presentinstrument. The screw 17 has at its lower end an elongated shank 23split longitudinally at 24, which shank is adapted to rest on theuppermost gauge sleeve 14 or on the surface 15, as the case may be. Thelower end of the shank 23 passes loosely but fittingly through a bearing25 in a hub 26 with which is formed integrally a radial arm 27constituting a movable jaw complemental to the fixed jaw describedabove. The hub 26 is in effect, integral with the hub portion 19 of thenut, in the present instance the latter having a reduced lower end 28pressed into the bore 29 in the hub 26. The hub 26 is split transverseto its axis at 31 and shaped to provide clamping arms which are adaptedto be clamped to the screw shank 23 by means of a thumb clamping screw88. By tightening the thumb clamping screw 33, the sleeve portion 19 andthe hub 26, or in other words, the nut element 18 of the micrometer andthe movable jaw 27 will be locked to the screw element of themicrometer, and the screw element in turn will be locked to the rod 11.The purpose of this clamp or look will be better understoodhereinafterwhen considering the operation or use of the mi-- crometer.

Heans is provided for taking up wear between the screw 17 and theinternal threads of the nut 18. To this end, the upper end of the nutportion 18 is reduced in diameter and threaded externally as indicatedby 34, Fig. 2, and this reduced threaded portion is slottedlongitudinally at circumferentially spaced points, one of which isindicated by 35. A. nut 36 engaged on the threaded portion 34., which isslightly tapered, may be adjusted to contract the upper end of the nut18 so as to take up for wear in the threads, and thus maintain theproper fit between the screw and nut element of the 111lC1O11'1GtG1.

The thimble 21 is detachably secured or locked to the screw 1?, so thatthe latter may be turned in the nut 18 by manual rotation of saidthimble. In the present example, the thinible seats on a shoulder 30 onthe screw, and a binding nut 37 threadedly en gaged on the reducedexternally threaded upper end 38 of the screw is adapted to be turnedinto wedging engagement with the beveled surface 39 on the thimble forfixedly securing it to the screw. A lock nut -11 serves to lock thebinding nut 37 against displacement. To facilitate rotation of thethimble 21 by the thumb and forefinger, the periphery is knurled asshown.

In addition to the screw-locking thumb screw 33 described above, T haveprovided a means for directly locking the screw to the rod 11. Thisconsists of a knurled nut i2 threadedly engaged on the reduced end 38 ofthe screw and having a cone surface at; adapted to engage a complementalcone end 1 1 on the screw. The upper end of the screw is splitlongitudinally at three circumferentially spaced points 15 so that bytightening the nut 42 the split portions of the screw will be clamped tothe rod 11.

The movablev jaw 2. has parallel upper and lower surfaces 46 and a?respectively, disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of therod 11 and parallel with the contact surface 13 and the base line. Thesurfaces 13 and 4-7 constitute opposed contacts between which externalmeasurements are taken. The arm 2? is also adapted for carryingattachments or extensions of different descriptions, such for example asa scribing point 48 shown in Fig. 1. Suitable means such for example asa saddle bracket 51 and a set screw 52 may be employed for detachablysecuring eitherof the points -18 or if) to the arm 28.

The operation or use of the instrument is' edge of the thimble 21 isgraduated 25 points equally circumferentially spaced, so that thereading of thesepoints is in thousandths of an inch. \Vhen using thisinstrument for external dimensions, the micrometer unit will besupported on the'rod 11 at an elevation closely approximating theexternaldirnension of the article to be measured, In other words, asufficient number of gauge sleeves 14 will be slipped onto the rod 11 toso position and support the micrometer unit'that the part to be measuredmaybe inserted between the opposed contact surfaces 13 and +7. Inobtaining the measurement, the

thumb screw 33 and the nut 42' will be loosened and the operator willturn the thimble 21 in" either direction'to feed the movable jaw 27upwardly or downwardly as the case may be, to ascertainthe desiredmeasurement. Vhile turning the thimble 21 the movable arm or jaw 27should be held against rotation about the rod 11. When, the desiredmeasurement has been obtained the position of the thimble 21 may befixed or locked with respect to the nut 18 by tightening the clampingscrew 33. This clamping screw whenytightened suflicient- 1y, also locksthe screw 17 and all" of the parts carried thereby, to the rod 11,However, in order to further insure against displacement from this setposltion and to guard against eventhe slightest degree of inaccuracy theadditional look at the upper end of the micrometer device, n the form ofthe lock nut 42, has been provided. It will be observed that in takingthe measurement referred to, the lower end of the screw 17 rests andturns uponthe uppermost gauge sleeve 141. In FI-ig. 2, the lower edge ofthe micrometer screw is shown flush with the contact surface 47, or inother words, the graduation O on the thimble 21 isin registration withthe graduation O on the hub 19. InFigLl, the micrometer screw has beenadjusted to substantially elevate the movable jaw 27. The range of themicrometer adjustment in the present example is one-half inch, and itwill be manifest that by use of various combinations of gauge sleeves,the range of measurement may be greatly varied. Infact, the micrometerdevice may be elevated to a maximum height on the extreme upper end ofthe rod 11 with just suflicient length of such rod engaged as to providea stable support for the micrometer device and to enable the micrometerscrew 17 to be clamped to the rod by means of the clamping screw 33. Itwill also be observed that the movable jaw 27 and in fact the micrometerunit, are freely rotatable about the rod 11, consequently allowing thisjaw to be set at any radial" position. This is especially desirablein'those instances in which the elongated fixed jaw endof the baseprevents approach of the movable jaw or the scribing point to the work.In such instance, considerable radial distance is gained by positioningthe movable jaw at right angles to the major axis of the base. Anotheradvantage following from the capacity of the movable jaw to swing todifferent radial positions is that it allows for measurement directlybetween the base line and the contact surface 47 when the jaw is placedso it overhangs the base. Furthermore, by the use of an underhungscribing point it is possible to work from the base line upwardly towithin the maximum height limit of the instrument. Use of the instrumentfor scribin will be readily understood. This instrument may also be usedas a micrometer caliper for measuring external dimensions and diametersbetween the opposed contact surfaces 13 and i7. Attention is alsodirected to the rapidity and ease with which the instru ment may beaccommodated to the taking of various measurements and to setting fordifferent elevations. It will also be recalled that the micrometer unitand likewise the gauge sleeves are freely movable rotatably andlongitudinally on the rod 11, and cons quently may be instantly slippedonand off the rod. The gauge sleeves being of standard dimensions enablequick and accurate setting of the micrometer.

From the foregoing, it will be manifest that an instrument of thecharacter described is capable of many uses, both as a measuring tool, agauge and a scriber, and that the settings and readings may be quicklyand easily made, especially in comparison with those instrumentsheretofore in use embodying,

Vernier scales, which inherently limit the range of use and convenienceof operation.

In conclusion, it should be understood that considerable change might bemade in details of construction without departing from the spirit. andscope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A micrometer height guage comprising a surface-working base carryingan upright rod, one or more gauge sleeves adapted to be positioned onthe rod, a micrometer screw adapted to be moved lengthwise and rotatableon the rod and to bear against the uppern'lost gauge sleeve fordetermining measurements, a graduated thimble on the micrometerscrew'for rotating it, a nut on the micrometer screw having graduations;in co-operation with those on the thimble. and a contact member fixed tothe nut and adapted to cooperate with said base.

2. A measuring instrument comprising a bare element having a fixed jawproviding a contact face, a cylindrical rod fixed to said base element,one or more gauge sleeves of predetermined length adapted to bepositioned on said rod in abutting relation, so that the end face of thegauge sleeve remote from the base element constitutes a fixed face ofpredetermined distance from said contact race, a micrometer screwslidable lengthwise on the rod adapted to contact againsit said gaugesleeve end face and to be revolved on said rod, a graduated thimble onthe micrometer screw for revolving it, a not on the micrometer screwhaving a graduated scale in co-operation with the grade.- ations on thethimble, and'a jaw fixed to the nut and having a contact surfacecomplemental to that on the base element.

A height gauge comprising a surfaceworkii base carrying an upright rod,a ometer unit including a micrometer a ram screw slidablc lengthwisenpon a1nl-rotatable [about the rod and a nut on the micron'ieter :r-"ewcarrying a contact member, and one or more gauge sleeves adapted to the.positioncd on the rod between the gauge and micrometer screw forlocating the micrometer unit in predetermined relation to the base, themicrometer screw being positioned relative to the hate by contactagainst the uppermost sleeve face.

l In a measuring instrument of the character described, in combination,asupporting rod, a ifixed jaw on one end of the rod, a micrometer screwslidable lengthwise upon and rotatable about the rod. a .nut memberthreadcdly engaged on the 'll'llCi'OlDQtOl screw, a movable jaw securedto on'e'cnd of said nut member, and one or more gauge sleeves adapted tobe positioned on the rod between the fired jaw and the micrometer screwfor locating the latter aipredetermined distance from the fixed jaw,said micrometer screw extending through the movable jaw into position tocontact with the adjacent end of the gauge sleeve.

In a measuring instrument, the combination set forth in claim 4,including a hub on the nutmember jaw through which hub the micrometerscrew pastes, the hub and screw being slotted longitudinally, and meansfor clamping the slotted portion ol. the hub to the screw and the latterto the rod or clamping the nut member jaw and micrometer screw to therod.

6. In a measuring instrument of the character described, in combination,a supporing rod, a member carried by said rod and having a working face,means adapted to be removably positioned on the rod for establishing afixed face a predetermined dis tance from said working face, amicrometer screw adapted to be moved lengthwise upon and rotatably aboutthe rod and to bear againstsaid fixed face for predetermined location onthe rod, a nut threadedly engaged on the micrometer screw, and a memberhaving a working face complemental to the first mentioned working facesaid member being fixed to the nut, whereby work is adapted to bemeasured between said fa es.

.7. In a measuring instrument of the character described, incombination, a supporting rod, amember on the rod having a contactsurface, a micrometer screw adapted to be moved lengthwise upon androtatably about the rod, a ,nutthreadedly engaged on th micrometerscrew, an arm radial with respect to the rod and being fixed to the nutand providing a contact surface, and a thimble fixed -to the micrometerscrew and over-reaching one end of the nut, there being cooperativemicrometric.graduations on said thimble and nut, and the micrometerscrew extending beyond the nut member remote from said thimble end andbeing adapted :to engage against said contact surface on the rodfordetermining the location oi the micrometer screw thereon.

8. In a measuring instrument of the character described, in combination,a supporting rod, a micrometer screw oo-axially mounted onithe rod so asto revolve thereon and having an unthreaded portion splitlongitudinally, a nut threadedly engaging the micrometer screw,\acontactarm having a hub surrounding said split portion of themicrometerscrew and being fixed to the nut, said hub being splitlongitudinally, and means EfOl clamping the split hub and the splitportionrof the micrometer screw to the rod.

9. In a height gauge of thecharacter described, thecombination of a baseconstituting a fixed jaw, an upright rod supported on the base, anexternally threaded micrometer screw 'r'eely slidable upon the rod, anut threadedly engaged on the micrometer screw, a thimble fixed to themicrometer screw for rotating it, a movable jaw fixed to the nut andbeing complemental to said fixed jaw and adapted to be moved withrespect thereto both by movement of the micrometer :sleeve on the rodand by relative adjustment of the nut and ,micrometer screw, there beingce-operative .micrometric graduations on the thiirble and nut, meansadapted to be positioned on the rod intermediate the base and micrometerscrew for locating the latter a predetermined distance from the base,and means for clamping the micrometer screw to the rod.

10. In a height gauge of the character described, 1n combination, abase, an upright rod supported on the base, a micrometer unit mounted onsaid rod and adapted to be moved lengthwise thereon, said unit including.a micrometer screw concentric on the rod and adapted to be revolvedthereon,

:and including also a nut threadedly engaged -on the micrometer screwand a radially projecting contact arm fixed to the nut, a plurality ofgauge sleeves of predetermined lengths, any of which are adapted to bep0- sitioned, on the rod intermediate the base and micrometer screw forsupporting the micrometer unit in predetermined relation to the base,and means for securing the micrometer in fixed relation to the rod inany set position of the micrometer unit thereon.

11. In a height gauge of the character described, in combination, a basecarrying an upright rod, a micrometer unit having a micrometer screwconcentric on the rod and having a nut on said micrometer screw providedwith a contactsurface supported by and disposed radially with respect tothe nut, said micrometer unit being movable longitudinally upon the rodand rotatably thereabout, and one or more gauge sleeves adapted to bepositioned on the rod intermediate the base and micrometer screw forsupporting the micrometer unit in predetermined relation to the base.

12. In a measuring instrument of the character described, incombination, a sup porting rod, a micrometer screw concentric thereon, anut threadedly engaged on the micrometer screw, a work contact surfacefixed to the nut, a thimble concentrically disposed about the micrometerscrew and over-reaching the nut, there being co-operative micrometricgraduations on said thimble and nut, and means for removably attachingthe thimble to the micrometer screw, there being a shoulder on the screwagainst which the thimble is adapted to be clamped, an annular beveledface on the other side of the thimble, and a clamping nut threadedlyengaged on the micrometer screw and adapted to be turned against saidbeveled face for clamping the thimble against said shoulder.

DANIEL ANDERSON.

